Team of the week
The Pusch Ridge Christian Lions outscored their four opponents 131-26 in the Class 3A state tournament in 2024.
Pusch Ridge Christian beat No. 2 Waddell ALA — West Foothills 26-7 in the Class 3A state championship game.
It’s the Lions’ second state title in football after they won the Division IV championship in 2015. ALA — West Foothills had been undefeated.
Pusch Ridge senior quarterback Jacob Newborn passed for 198 yards, going 13 for 20 and earning a 97.5 quarterback rating. He also ran the ball 14 times for 61 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Seniors John Sunukjian and Elliott Lovett each had an interception.
Play of the week
With 9:40 left in the game, Mica Mountain took a commanding lead at Yuma Catholic when senior quarterback Jayden Thoreson hit senior tight end Jimmy Leon with a 9-yard touchdown pass, according to All Sports Tucson, to put Mica Mountain up 24-7. The Thunderbolts would go on to win the state semifinal 24-14.
Stat book
Pusch Ridge senior running back Blake Reed ran for 144 yards on 17 carries with a long of 67 yards in the state championship game.
Mica Mountain senior running back Jordan Perry rushed for 105 yards on 13 attempts in the Thunderbolts’ win over Yuma Catholic on Friday.
Next level
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson ran for 102 yards on 26 carries in the Falcons’ 17-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. The Salpointe Catholic alum has run for 885 yards on the season and at least 100 yards in two of his last three games. The former Texas star has also gotten into acting with the help of Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey.
Tucson transfers
Peoria Centennial senior Shamar Berryhill had four catches for 64 yards in the Coyotes’ 37-32 win over Queen Creek in the 6A semifinals. Berryhill, who transferred from Sabino, helped lead Centennial to the championship game against Mesa Mountain View after sitting out the first five games of the season, even though the Coyotes finished the regular season 3-7. His brother, Romeo, is a sophomore on Centennial. Their father, Stanley Berryhill Jr., went to Cholla. Their brother, Stanley Berryhill III, went to Mountain View before going to Orange (Calif.) Lutheran and the University of Arizona; and their other brother, Savaughn, played for Sabino.
Quotable
“It was really exciting watching her get to that level and unfortunately they didn’t get the win, so a lot of battles in our household right now to see if we can get one.” — Mica Mountain head football coach Pat Nugent on the first Nugent to reach a state final for Mica Mountain before his daughter, Jayden. Mica Mountain girls volleyball reached the 4A state championship match, going 27-11. Jayden Nugent, a libero, was second team All-4A Kino. Compiled by James Kelley, Special to the Arizona Daily Star
